We at ‘Your Inner Rhino’ wish you all the very best as the Staff stroll off to see what’s what.

Undaunted by our last visit to New York, We are getting back into the saddle to try again. With a little luck, We should be back next week, here at the YIR depot, cranking along.

Chill until Monday, please.

We wish We could tell you Readers that Rhinos are decisive and visionary, but that would just be a Big Old Lie. We often start out with an Idea, and then, as We march forward, We realize there are still a bunch of questions We have not considered. We have either too much Information, or too little, or conflicting data.

Trust Us, arriving at a Conclusion is an iffy business. Yes, but no, but yes, but then again…

The Reverand C.L. Dodgson, aka Lewis Carroll, wrote ‘Alice’s Adventures Under Ground’ in 1865. Alice falls down a rabbit hole and encounters an unusual set of characters.

Rhinos have wondered why Mr. Carroll changed the title to ‘Alice in Wonderland’. We assume it is because Alice does very little herself, but spends most of the book wondering what’s going on and why things are so peculiar.

Rhinos are familiar with Alice’s state of mind. Alice is a poster child for Wondering what’s up. Is it any wonder?

Each of Us Rhinos has endless possibilities, though We are never certain just how they will resolve themselves over Time.

Of course, We don’t work just that way, as Time reveals its mysteries , in, well, yes… over Time. Lots of it.

This is true not only for each of Us Rhinos, but for each wing of the RFamily, not only today, but over the millions of years We have been Nature’s playthings. Makes Us a bit giddy!

Rhinos don’t adhere to a political framework. We each get on with rhino affairs, doing our best for our family and families. Otherwise, We mind our own business.

We are informed that there are many rules and regulations, but who issues these bulletins and why has never been clear to Rhinos. Assumptions lurk round every corner, asserting rights to have expectations met, We get that. But who is crazy enough to think Rhinos should comply with these random announcements?

Well. It’s not the Rhino Contingent, We can tell you that much.

As common sense would suggest, there are no ‘simple’ scents or fragrances. In a laboratory perhaps, but no critter lives in a lab, not voluntarily. No, scent is experienced as a study in tints and nuances, flavors and colors, suggestions and associations. When a Rhino pays attention, the privilege of nasal accuity is mind-boggling.

Delightful, if unpredictable. Or delightful because it is unpredictable.

The fact is that many Rhinos are taught Ignorance, to accept anything they are told without question. Among some groups, this tradition becomes rigid, meaning that not only are the present Rhinos limited, but that is what they will pass along to their young.

This system of things is not new. Not only with Rhinoceroses.

As We Rhinos say, “You don’t have to own the island to do the dance”.

So true, so true.

And somewhat heartening, since Rhinos don’t own anything.

One thing that bucks Us Rhinos up is the certain knowledge that Nature has worked most of the kinks out of the Rhino Recipe. We are nigh unto perfect, and most of our kids and relatives are too.

That does not mean Rhinos are identical. Oddly, it guarantees that each of Us is unique.

Unhappily, it does not mean We are always adept in the kitchen. No, not always adept…

Rhinos, both young and old, like Jokes and other minor bits of Merriment. Jokes perk Us up and help maintain our patience in the face of Absurdity and Irritation.

The Jokes can be old, terrible, non-sensical or tasteless. It is not the Joke that’s in question. It’s the intention of a shared moment with a friend or more.